The fact that Europe is now a stronghold of woke culture has been an obstacle to the strengthening of Jewish communities and to the public appreciation dedicated to their markedly confessional and traditional identity. Once-vibrant local Jewish communities simply no longer exist.
The remaining active congregations often lack the minimum quorum of ten men needed for communal prayer without outside visitors. Many European synagogues function today as museums or only operate with the help of tourists. Others have been scandalously repurposed as European Association for Jewish Culture and Heritage sites, funded by local governments and international organizations to preserve architectural heritage and educate the public. For this, there is public money, for nothing else, not even for policing around communities made up of large numbers of living Jews.
In this frightening scenario, European Jewish communities do not share their double mission centered on promoting Jewish religion culture anymore. The Jewish Community of Oporto is an exception.
As the European woke elites feel uncomfortable with this growth, the community is taking their children from their homes to educate them in the museums it owns. Even the teaching of the Holocaust in Portugal itself has been practically monopolized by the community.
It operates the landmark Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue and a Center of Studies for young people. Financially supports global and local institutions like Chabad Lubavitch. It constructed the Jewish cemetery of Porto to serve its members. It is a notable film producer.
Houses the Jewish Museum of Porto and the highly visited Holocaust Museum of Porto, alongside a permanent painting gallery and features the Mekor Haim Choir.
Functioning almost like a large cultural foundation, the community views the active promotion of Jewish history and culture as its main weapon against antisemitism and to teach the youngest true history of Portugal and Europe.
This highly organized, multidimensional community has built a robust educational ecosystem centered around exact names, places, and cultural institutions in the city.
While the woke world succumbs around it, the community prospers and promises new works in the coming years.
